Simon Pagenaud: “We did what had to be done”

In position to retain its crown going into the final event of the season in Sonoma, simon pagenaud (Team Penske – Chevrolet) ultimately failed to become the first driver since Dario Franchitti (four-time champion, including three times consecutively between 2009 and 2011) to retain his title.

As in 2016, the year of his coronation on the other side of the Atlantic, Simon Pagenaud nevertheless accomplished his part of the job by winning last night in California, but Josef Newgarden's second place ensures the latest recruit of the Roger Penske's stable its first consecration in the premier category.

« We did what had to be done, believes Pagenaud. We tried. We won the race but it wasn't enough. Everything depends on an entire championship. You have to be strong in every race and I think Josef was a little stronger this year.

Next year we will come back and give him the answer… It was a phenomenal performance, I think, all weekend. I would like to congratulate Josef of course, and Team Penske. »

Penske achieves the double

On the team side, however, Team Penske was able to retain its title, the fourth, and thus return to the level of Andretti Autosport in the prize list. «  I think our team, this weekend and throughout the season, showed how good everyone is at Penske, continues Pagenaud.

The “back-to-back” (expression used across the Atlantic to mark the conservation of a title). It's phenomenal and a real testimony to excellent team spirit. »

Discover the full report of the Sonoma final in IndyCar in AUTO n°2132hebdo, available this evening in digital version, and this Wednesday on newsstands.